How to Take Care of a Foal

Make sure the foal is breathing once it is born. Remove any mucus or fetal membranes that may be obstructing its nostrils. If the foal is not breathing, gently twist its ear, slap its face or insert a straw into its nostrils until it sneezes. Give a few breaths into the nostril while holding the other nostril closed. A brisk toweling not only dries the foal but also stimulates it.

Prevent septicemia - an infection caused by micro-organisms entering through the umbilical stump - by dipping the umbilical stump with iodine.

The mare can be milked and the foal bottle fed 4 ounces of colostrum every 15 minutes before he rises for the first time. Be sure the foal is nursing successfully. You will hear him slurping the milk if he is latched on properly. He should attempt to nurse within the first hour of life and be successful within the first two hours. If not, intervention is necessary.

Make sure the foal has a bowel movement within the first two hours. Give an enema after the foal nurses the first time and be prepared to repeat if it is unproductive. Watch for symptoms of colic from retained meconium anytime in the first 24 hours.

Leave mare and foal alone. This is a special time for the mother and foal, and they need time to get acquainted. Watch quietly without disturbing them. Be prepared to remove the foal from the stall if the mare acts aggressively towards it.

Begin the imprinting process. Each day, spend 10 to 15 minutes with the foal touching its hooves, tapping on its feet (to simulate being shod), touching its ears and nose, and rubbing its entire body. This will make the foal much easier to handle as an adult horse.

Know that foals are born without any natural immunity to diseases, but they can quickly acquire immunity from their mothers through the colostrum or first milk, which contains antibodies against diseases. This is why it is critical for the foal to nurse shortly after birth.

Vaccinate a foal as recommended by your veterinarian.